Pretty fed up with these sore heels
May 24, 2012 5:12 AM Subscribe
Has anybody had any experiences, good or bad, with autologous blood injection to treat insertional Achilles tendinopathy? It was raised as a possible option by a locum standing in for my usual GP and I'm interested in finding out more about it.
If your doctor is offering autologous whole blood injections then decline the offer as the technique is pure hoo-ey. The report that Mr.Know-it-some referenced states that there is no benefit from whole blood injections, however the authors could not find 'high quality studies' of PRP.
There are plenty of high quality studies on PRP. There may be just a few small studies on Achilles tendonopathy, but there are tons of studies on other tendons in the body (and other structures of the body). Many top orthopedic surgeons use PRP as a first line of treatment to avoid surgery, with great success. Patients report less pain and faster healing. Not that it should influence your decision AT ALL, but Tiger Woods had PRP injections in his knee to help stave off surgery. It is important that you find the right doc who will use ultrasound to precisely guide the injections. Also, the right doc will evaluate whether your particular injury can be helped by PRP
I have tons and tons of articles in .PDF format that I'd be happy to share with you, just MeMail me an address that can accept heavy attachments. Disclaimer- The family business provides PRP, BMAC and ATS to 40+ hospitals in Florida.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 12:11 PM on May 24, 2012
There are plenty of high quality studies on PRP. There may be just a few small studies on Achilles tendonopathy, but there are tons of studies on other tendons in the body (and other structures of the body). Many top orthopedic surgeons use PRP as a first line of treatment to avoid surgery, with great success. Patients report less pain and faster healing. Not that it should influence your decision AT ALL, but Tiger Woods had PRP injections in his knee to help stave off surgery. It is important that you find the right doc who will use ultrasound to precisely guide the injections. Also, the right doc will evaluate whether your particular injury can be helped by PRP
I have tons and tons of articles in .PDF format that I'd be happy to share with you, just MeMail me an address that can accept heavy attachments. Disclaimer- The family business provides PRP, BMAC and ATS to 40+ hospitals in Florida.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 12:11 PM on May 24, 2012
Response by poster: That would be helpful, thanks! Address in profile.
posted by flabdablet at 5:17 PM on May 24, 2012
posted by flabdablet at 5:17 PM on May 24, 2012
To my knowledge there isn't any good science surrounding autologous blood injection for tendinopathy. PRP is still somewhat controversial, but other than cost, there isn't much risk and certainly worth trying before surgery. I have had "just okay" results with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), although I believe the underlying pathology is different.
You say this is a locum filling in for your GP? That's not who should be doing things like this. You want an orthopaedic surgeon at the least, a foot and ankle specialist or sports medicine would be even better. Go to www.aaos.org and there is a find a doctor button to help you.
posted by karlos at 7:56 PM on May 24, 2012
You say this is a locum filling in for your GP? That's not who should be doing things like this. You want an orthopaedic surgeon at the least, a foot and ankle specialist or sports medicine would be even better. Go to www.aaos.org and there is a find a doctor button to help you.
posted by karlos at 7:56 PM on May 24, 2012
Response by poster: Not sure the AAOS's reach extends to Australia, but thank you.
posted by flabdablet at 10:10 PM on May 24, 2012
posted by flabdablet at 10:10 PM on May 24, 2012
Sorry, typical American. But, if you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you can search international members by country. 193 in Australia. Good luck.
posted by karlos at 8:07 PM on May 25, 2012
posted by karlos at 8:07 PM on May 25, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 7:57 AM on May 24, 2012